The mass food-packing event was organized by Feeding Children Everywhere in partnership with Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach.

“Seeing the response from the community, people of all ages working together, is such a beautiful thing,” said Don Campbell, president and CEO of Feeding Children Everywhere, a social charity based in Orlando.

Campbell said that so many people were willing to help with the event that many volunteers had to be turned away. “There’s a desire for people that want to help,” he said. “They recognize that there’s a need. They love the effectiveness of a model that gets things done.”

The church provided more than 200 volunteers, including the Rev. Kate Kelderman, associate for ministry development at Bethesda-by-the-Sea. “After 55 minutes, I don’t want the morning to end,” Rev. Kelderman said. “You can say a lovely prayer as you scoop the lentils for each child who will be receiving the food. You find yourself praying about the life of this child.”